'… trying to understand,' Kathryn Stockett
wrote, 'is vital to our humanity.'Solid point.And the film
version of The Help, directed and written – at Stockett's
request – by the relatively inexperienced Tate Taylor (her friend from
Jackson), does full justice to that intention.Short on style and flashy technique, The
Help on film compensates with genuine emotional force.

Peter Travers,
Rolling Stone

Contents

Teachers' Guide

Study Programme

Introduction

3

Introduction

2

Suggested Teaching Plan

4

After the First Viewing

3

After the First Viewing

5

Initial Quiz

4

Initial Quiz Answers

6

Analysing the Plot

5

Plot Outline

7

Narrative Structure Task Sheet

6

Analysing the Plot

8

Conflict Task Sheet

7

Narrative Structure

9

Film Techniques Checklist

8

Conflict

11

Close Reading the Text Task Sheets

10

Scene-by-scene Commentary

12

Design and Setting

14

Close Reading the Text

24

Characterisation

15

Setting: the Facts

31

Controversy

17

Designing the Film

33

Useful Quotations

18

Production Design Notes

36

Cast and Awards

20

Characters and Actors

37

Behind the Camera: the Crew

21

Themes: an approach

44

Scene List

22

Themes Notes

45

Glossary of Film Terms

24

Controversy: Some Responses

47

Worksheets

Extension and Connections

48

Study Record

2

From Page to Screen

50

Plot Outline

3

Music

51

From Screenplay to Film: Analysing scene 1

4

Postmodern Allusions

51

Plot Structure

5

Who Says?– Answers

52

Techniques

7

Word Search Answers

53

Who Says?

9

Interesting Trivia

54

Word Search

10

Appendix: Plot Strands Answers

55

Scene-by-scene WS

11

CD
Extras:three PowerPoint presentations: 'Design and Costumes' plus two quizzes
(character ID and shots); the screenplay, a huge library of pics from the
film and a selection of historical photographs.